More than A Pour

As a sophisticated, vintage-style wine bar with a decidedly European air, Augustine is a unique, exciting entry to the Valley landscape. Owned by Dustin Lancaster, Matthew Kaner (who also own the popular hipster spot Bar Covell in Los Feliz) and Sherman Oaks resident/musician David Gibbs, Augustine offers a staggering selection of 75 rotating wines by the glass ($10 to $100).

Bottles range in price from $100 to $1,000, with some vintage wines dating back to 1860. There are also rare beers with six on tap that change monthly.

Light pairing dishes include: a beef cheek sandwich, braised octopus, cheese and charcuterie. Don’t miss the steak frites on Sundays for $20.

Encino resident and avid wine collector Larry Schapiro is a big fan. He chuckles that he has stopped in “more than 50 times” on the way home from his Hollywood office where he works as a manager/producer.

“Their wine list is exceedingly eclectic … there is nowhere in Los Angeles that carries the amount of vintage wine in combination with accessible wines” he says. In addition to his day job, Larry is the wine director at downtown’s Cicada.  

His top choices for excellent yet reasonable (priced around $16) domestic glasses include: ’13 Tyler chardonnay, ’12 Silas pinot noir “Calliope Cuvée” and ’13 Pence Ranch pinot noir. His recent vintage raves include a ’62 Château cheval blanc and a ’61 Château Lafite Rothschild.

Customers can unwind at the 35-foot Carrera marble-top bar, the couch or, for those looking for a quieter vibe, one of the intimate, two-person booths. With perfectly dimmed lights, conversation friendly music decibels and delicate flower arrangements, once you get uncorked it’s hard to leave.

13456 Ventura Blvd.  Sherman Oaks
augustinewinebar.com